Mapplethorpe (2018) - full transcript

[drill sergeant shouting distantly]

[soldiers respond in unison]

[gunshot]

[woman laughs distantly]

[drill sergeant and soldiers

shouting continuous]

- [knock on door]

- MAN: Hey, Robert. We're late.

[vinyl record hissing]

[swinging pop music plays]

♪ I've been backing it up

So don't go low ♪

♪ Just watching people

Acting slow ♪

♪ Tonight I'm going to free ♪

♪ This locked-up soul

Inside of me ♪

♪ I'm going to kick off

My shoes, oh ♪

♪ And roll up my collar ♪

♪ While the music grooves ♪

♪ I'm going to jump

And holler ♪

♪ And then we shake

Shake, shake, baby ♪

♪ We got to shake

Shake, shake ♪

♪ Oh, shake, shake, shake ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Now it doesn't matter

What kind of song is sung ♪

[car horns honk]

♪ When we get out

On the floor ♪

♪ I'll be right with them ♪

[horn blares]

ROBERT: Mapplethorpe.

M-A-P-P-L-E-T-H-O-R-P-E.

I did that job last week.

The piano move.

Well, I was just wondering

if you have any...

Okay, well, I'm available

anytime over the summer.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

That's not enough.

Yeah. I mean, I thought since

there's only two hours left,

you might do me a favor.

Come back when

you have more.

Please.

And he's allowed me

to go up to the mountain.

And I've looked over.

And I have seen

the Promised Land.

I need your help.

- Sure.

- I'm Patti.

Just pretend you're

my boyfriend, all right?

- MAN: Hey.

- Thank you so much for lunch,

but I found

who I've been looking for.

- I just want to talk.

- Bye.

This poem is great.

I mean, it's great.

Yeah?

What else do you do?

- I draw.

- Oh.

Paint.

- You gay?

- No. Why?

Do I seem like I am?

No. Not really.

Where do you live?

ROBERT: I'm sort of in

between places right now.

- PATTI: Yeah, me too.

- ROBERT: Oh, yeah?

I have a place to crash though,

in Brooklyn.

It's just a shitty room.

It's somewhere, you know?

[psychedelic rock music playing]

ROBERT: So, she did

that in... in pen.

It's better in pen.

Wow.

Yeah, this is some

crazy shit.

Really? Wow. Thanks.

You get this good

going to Pratt, huh?

Pratt was just a way

out of Floral Park

because it was my dad's

Alma mater.

I've been drawing

my whole life.

Yeah? He an artist too?

My dad?

No, he's an engineer.

He takes pictures,

but he's no artist.

[lighter flicks and scratches]

Well, uh, I guess I got

to get going.

What? Where?

You know...

No. Stop. Don't go.

You got a bed.

Look, I'll take the couch.

Don't go.

Okay.

Thanks.

It's been rough.

But I'll make it.

I've been through worse.

Had a feeling

the moment I saw you.

Like Mutt and Jeff,

you know?

Ricky and Lucy?

I'm fascinating,

I know.

- Boy...

- [laughs]

What are you going to do

with this, huh?

"What will become of the world

when no trace of you remains?"

I think there'll be

some traces.

ROBERT: How was your day?

- PATTI: Good.

- [keys clatter]

So, I'm channeling

Duchamp tonight.

That's so different.

That's terrific. Yeah.

Yeah?

[kettle whistles]

Thank you.

- Thank you.

- PATTI: You're welcome.

[Tim Hardin's

"Reason to Believe" plays]

Yeah.

♪ If I listen

Long enough to you ♪

♪ I'd find a way to believe

That it's all true ♪

♪ Knowing that you lied ♪

♪ Straight-faced

While I cried ♪

♪ But still I look

To find a reason to believe ♪

♪ Someone like you ♪

♪ Makes it hard to live

Without somebody else ♪

♪ Someone like you ♪

♪ Makes it easy to give ♪

♪ Never think about myself ♪

♪ If I gave you time

To change my mind ♪

♪ I'd find a way

To leave the past behind ♪

♪ Knowing that you lied ♪

♪ Straight-faced

While I cried ♪

♪ But still I look to find

A reason to believe ♪

PATTI: What do you think?

It's great.

Yeah?

But I wonder

if they'd get it.

Who?

Everyone.

Everyone else.

Everyone who's not us.

I don't think they see the world

like we do.

Our world knows me.

I don't give a shit.

Our world.

Yeah.

Nobody lives there

but us, right?

Right.

You like it, yeah?

I told my parents

we got married

in a strawberry field

in California.

What?

Why'd you do that?

It's a beautiful picture.

Don't ever leave me, Patti.

"Joe leaves his job

as a dishwasher

and takes a bus

to New York City."

That's you.

"Where he meets the sickly,

streetwise Ratso."

That's me.

"They eventually become friends,

companions and soul mates,

and help each other survive

in the big city."

Hey, it sounds like us.

What do you say, Joe?

Let's go.

Patti, don't eat like an animal.

That's disgusting.

- All right, shepherd boy.

- I know, but...

You're sitting there

straight out of Holy Land.

Give me the cookie.

It's my day.

You've eaten, like,

the whole of it.

All right, you have

the sweet tooth anyway.

I'm just hungry.

I need a favor.

- Okay.

- Give me your hand.

Aw, come on.

Seriously?

Yeah. Come on.

Aw, you got to be kidding.

No, look.

You'll see when you meet

my mom and my dad.

It's just, if they don't

think we're married...

officially...

it'll just be,

you know...

- Here, I got you.

- They're Catholic.

Like, really Catholic.

I'm your family now.

Yeah.

Bless us, O Lord, for these

gifts we are about to receive

from thy bounty, through Christ,

our Lord, amen.

Amen.

It's so nice to finally

meet you, Patricia.

Can I get you

anything else?

No, thank you,

Mrs. Mapplethorpe.

And please,

call me Patti.

All right, so, tell us

the story of your union.

I mean...

when and where

did you two get married?

Thank you.

Oh, we met in California, Mom.

Right after college.

After you dropped out

of Pratt, right?

Yeah, right after that.

HARRY: Big waste of time and money.

JOAN: Edward, eat your beans.

So, what do you do Patricia...

Patti?

I'm an artist.

Like Robert.

Have you thought

about children?

HARRY: Children, Joan?

These two can barely

take care of themselves.

Actually, we take pretty good

care of each other...

Dad.

[cutlery clatters]

Thank you very much.

- Really lovely to meet you.

- Bye, Dad.

Why do we even bother?

He's going to end up a deadbeat,

looking like a girl.

You should tell them

to fuck themselves.

Yeah.

They're my family.

Aw, baby.

[loud music blaring distantly]

[indistinct chatter]

[loose change rattles]

MAN: Okay, five dollars.

- Yeah, this is good.

- Take that.

Is that okay?

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Stop! Stop!

Stop that man!

Hey, motherfucker!

♪ Well, I can't find ♪

♪ I can't find ♪

- ♪ Find a way ♪

- ♪ Find a way ♪

♪ Find a way, baby ♪

♪ Find a way ♪

♪ Leave that woman ♪

♪ In her place all day

Hey ♪

♪ Ow ♪

♪ Oh, woman

Oh, baby ♪

♪ I won't stop you now ♪

♪ I'll make it without you

Child ♪

♪ Don't you worry how ♪

♪ Keep on going

Don't look around ♪

♪ Teach you, baby ♪

♪ I'm gonna put you down ♪

[distant traffic ambience]

Shit. Hey.

Don't really know

what I'm doing.

I'm just fucking around,

you know.

They're fascinating.

You think?

Thanks.

But it ain't

paying the rent.

♪ Stepping-stone ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I'm your stepping

Stepping-stone ♪

- ♪ I was your ♪

- ♪ Stepping-stone ♪

♪ Mm-hmm ♪

♪ Step, stepping ♪

Stepping-stone ♪

- Mr. Stanley Bard?

- Yes.

My name is Patti Smith,

and I'm here

with Robert Mapplethorpe.

- Uh-huh.

- You may not know us yet,

but we're going to be

big stars one day.

Only today we don't

have any money.

[laughs]

But...

take a look for yourself.

Take it all.

For collateral.

Okay. Okay.

Rent's generally due

first of the month.

And I'm going to hold on

to these until you can make it.

Mr. Bard, you will not

regret this.

ROBERT: You got a room?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bard.

- Which one?

- This one.

♪ I did it all for love ♪

♪ I was your stepping-stone ♪

♪ I was your stepping-stone ♪

Aw...

Sleepyhead.

♪ She's my hard

Little stepping-stone ♪

♪ Step, stepping

Stepping-stone ♪

- Hey, Patti.

- PATTI: Hmm?

I think I'm going to try

and sell these

so we can get

our work back faster.

I want to try to do

something around, like a cloth.

Yeah. Okay.

Got to go to work.

All right.

Have a good day.

♪ Well, you'll be

A stepping-stone ♪

♪ Step, stepping

Stepping-stone ♪

Mr. Bard...

so, I have the money.

Can I get my work back, please?

- MAN: Hey, Robert!

- What? Hey!

MAN: You coming by?

Yeah. Five.

- MAN: Cool.

- Excellent.

- MAN 1: Hey, Robert.

- MAN 2: Digging the necklace.

Nice.

- You look cool, man.

- Peace, man.

[sitar music playing]

Oh, hello.

Hey.

What do you think?

Whose is it?

It's as if Steichen and Munch

had a prodigal daughter.

Ja?

It's one of mine.

I think it's cool.

I'm Sandy Daley.

I'm Robert Mapplethorpe.

Oh.

You're our newest patient, huh?

This is actually a photograph

of me and a former lover.

Inspired by Bellocq.

You know Bellocq?

He was one of the first

great masters.

Wow, that's great.

I love that.

So is that.

He scratched out the face.

I've done that.

You do that?

Yeah.

I'd like to see it.

Yeah, I got some right here.

This one.

- I mean, you know,

it's not...

Oh, yes. I see.

That's better.

SANDY: This is potent imagery.

ROBERT: Thanks.

You really should take

your own pictures.

Why don't you?

Printing. Re-printing.

The dark room.

It takes so much time.

And I can't be just Mapplethorpe

the photographer, you know?

I want magic.

Majesty.

I want to be a modern

Michelangelo.

And you think if Michelangelo

had a camera,

he wouldn't have used it?

Wow.

SANDY: Pull that out,

and it's ready to go.

- That's the focus?

- Mm-hmm.

And remember,

it's always about

the light.

Whether you paint it

or shoot it,

you have to find it

or make it.

And that takes talent.

Can I take a picture

of your flowers?

Yes, you can.

- Please.

- All right.

Take the bloody picture.

[camera clicks]

Voilà.

There you go.

Keep it for a while.

You sure?

Cross your legs.

That's good.

Look at me.

Okay, now you lean on him.

Yeah, nice.

Think your worst thought.

Stand there.

Hold back.

♪ No lies I told ♪

♪ I tell no lies ♪

♪ I tell no lies ♪

Yeah.

I can't make a move

without seeing it frozen

five minutes later.

[camera clicks]

[indistinct chatter]

- Thank you, Patti.

- Mm-hmm.

So, look, I made 27 bucks.

I sold three necklaces.

- All right.

- But I kind of want

to keep this one,

because it's cool.

Yeah.

Robert Mapplethorpe,

for all your voodoo needs.

Yeah, well, do me a favor

and cast a spell

on Tinkerbelle over there

who can't stop staring at me.

She loves you.

I love you.

Good, because you're

stuck with me.

Robert. Patti.

- This is David Croland.

- Hey.

Bobby, you never

come see me.

You and Patti-Cake are so...

Siamese.

You're such a Robert hog.

That's me,

just a little piggy.

I adore it.

It's violent.

It's handmade.

- Thank you.

- Truly.

Can you make one for me?

Yeah, if you have

a craving.

PATTI: Shit.

[sighs]

Can I wear these

or are they fucking art?

Bye.

- [door opens and closes]

- Have fun with your family.

[funky music playing]

[camera clicks]

[camera clicks]

[knock on door]

Yeah?

DAVID: It's David. Anybody home?

What's that?

Open your mouth.

Stick out your tongue.

It's acid.

Mm. Giddyup.

[laughs]

[funky music playing]

Hey.

Shirt off.

Try that on.

Bow tie.

Pretty boy.

Hands.

Good boy.

Okay, good boy.

Hold that.

- Okay...

- [camera clicks]

Enough with the nickname,

Robert.

I'm a real model.

Listen to me...

shh.

We're making history here.

[camera clicks]

Let's go down

to Stonewall.

That's real history.

[shushing]

Be nice and quiet for me.

So...

Good boy.

Okay.

♪ You've been slipping

Into darkness ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Pretty soon you're

Going to pay ♪

♪ Hey ♪

Take your cock out.

Hold that.

- [camera clicks]

- Got it.

[moans and pants]

I finally see you.

You're the Prince...

Now you're talking.

...of Darkness.

No.

Wait, no, you're...

you're the Prince of Darkness.

- Robert...

- No.

- Robert, stop it.

- No.

Wait, no, no, no, no.

You're... no, no, no.

DAVID: Robert. God sakes!

ROBERT: No, no, no, no.

No. No.

No, no, no, no, no.

I don't want to.

I don't want to.

I don't want to.

Get away from me.

Get away from me. No.

- Goddamn it. Get away from me.

- Robert...

Get away from me!

You're the fucking devil.

I don't want this.

I don't want this.

- [shushing]

- No!

It's me. It's me.

Fuck.

Hey. Shh.

No, it's just...

beauty and the devil.

Beauty and the devil are

sort of the same thing to me.

And he's always

been with me.

Like, always.

I guess in church

I found God.

And then when Sandy

gave me the Polaroid,

it led me straight

to the devil.

And now, suddenly,

I'm fucking him.

I'm fucking the devil.

I guess you could say I have

a certain Catholic aesthetic.

Yeah.

Let's explore

that ass-thetic.

Oh, no, fuck.

Patti...

Patti's...

Patti's on her way back.

Patti's coming here.

Patti's not blind, babe.

Surely she knows

that she's got a slippery Jim.

No, she knows nothing, okay?

And that's how

it's going to stay.

Okay.

- Sure.

- What?

David, what...

You're not leaving.

David. Oh, come on.

I don't mind you playing

everyone for a fool, okay?

But you want a boyfriend,

and a girlfriend,

and...

I want you.

You decide.

David.

Don't leave.

You're going to leave me

when I'm high?

[door opens and closes]

[sighs]

[music throbbing faintly]

[techno music blaring]

[camera clicks]

MAN: Come on!

[loud groaning]

Look, I find myself

wanting to touch them.

And, uh, take...

Take pictures of them.

You can't take

enough pictures of me.

You're the best.

Silky.

I love taking pictures of you,

of course.

But, it's just...

I can't...

I can't stop myself.

Guess I always knew.

I just...

didn't want to.

Yeah.

Nothing's going to change.

I'm not... I'm not...

I'm not leaving us.

Ever.

What are you doing?

Hey.

Hey, Patti,

what are you doing?

You can't leave.

This is... this is our world.

What about Mutt and Jeff,

and Ricky and Lucy?

Ratso and Joe.

What are you doing?

- I'm not leaving that.

- Patti, please.

Stop. Stop.

Stop.

No, you can't leave...

I'm not leaving the fucking

solar system, Robert.

You are the fucking

solar system!

This is the solar system.

You can't leave.

Yes, I can.

Just get a grip.

Please, no...

But you don't...

Patti...

If you leave me, then...

I'll become gay.

- I will.

- Well, so be it.

But I got to take care

of myself, okay?

[sighs]

Don't go.

Don't go.

Don't leave me here.

Don't.

Don't go. Don't go.

Don't go.

- My heart hurts too.

- No...

Patti.

Patti. Patti!

[Acquavella scoffs]

I don't think so.

- No.

- Okay.

Yeah, well,

thank you for your time.

Robert Mapplethorpe.

- No.

- Okay.

Thank you for your time.

Mr. Liu, this is

Robert Mapplethorpe.

LIU: What are you trying to say?

It's visual art.

It speaks for itself.

I can't sell these,

I'm afraid.

- Why?

- I can't even show them.

- Time to go.

- What do you mean?

These people

are the gatekeepers?

- Look what's on your walls.

- SANDY: Okay, let's go.

Is that moving?

Does that provoke you?

- Does that make you think?

- Mr. Mapplethorpe...

- Okay.

- They're keeping us out.

There's no keeping you out,

Robert.

- You're on the threshold.

- But they can't see.

- See you on Tuesday.

- Thank you.

Switch sides.

Stop. Move around.

This side.

- Hold that.

- [camera clicks]

More? Thank you.

♪ I was smiling hard ♪

♪ But I was lying ♪

♪ Then you sailed along ♪

Well, it's about

bloody time.

ROBERT: Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your attention.

I really appreciate it.

I'm sorry,

it just doesn't...

You've got shit on the wall

and you don't give a fuck.

- Why do you bring me to these?

- Robert...

I can't even...

David Croland, on your knees,

right where I left you.

Sam. Love.

What are you

getting up to?

I'm good.

Just 19th century, mostly.

Some Sufism.

So, who was the sumptuous storm

cloud that just ran out of here?

That's Robert,

the shy pornographer.

A handful.

He raging because galleries

won't take on his cock photos.

Go figure.

Really?

Really?

Uh-oh.

Where is he?

I'll get you

a phone number.

Good.

Hi, is this the shy

pornographer?

ROBERT: [on phone]

Uh, that depends.

Who's asking?

I'm a collector.

My friend David

told me about you.

Oh, really?

So, is the sailor

accepting visitors?

Yeah, he is.

Come aboard.

Good. Good.

Where should we meet?

Uh, how about my studio?

[whispers]

33 West 11th.

Yeah, which is at

33 West 11th.

Great. When's good for you?

Friday afternoon, say,

like 3:00.

Okay.

I will see you then.

Pretty cool.

- It's all happening, Robert.

- Fucking insane.

I'm going to call Maxine

at her studio.

It's all happening.

Really?

Hello?

[funky music playing]

Oh. Hey.

Oh, hi.

I'm Sam. Sam Wagstaff.

I'm Robert.

Nice to meet you.

Thank you.

Nice to meet you, too.

[clears throat]

It kind of flows this way.

- Are these your drawings?

- Yeah, they're all mine.

[Sam laughs]

[man moaning

over funky music]

I like the music.

So, I started

with the drawings,

but actually now I'm more

interested in the Polaroids.

This is you.

Yeah.

Good subject.

You know all these people?

I do.

They must trust you.

They do.

[laughs]

Good.

Good.

It's fantastic.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

It's good to meet you.

- Thank you for stopping by.

- Yeah.

Let me show you out.

[laughs]

Okay.

[mechanics whirring]

You know, you don't really

have to escort me

back down to the street.

It's okay.

I have somewhere to be.

Really?

[mechanics squeal]

No.

[classical music playing]

Thank you.

You're welcome.

So...

it's time you know

the truth.

I have a lot of lovers.

That's okay.

I'd like you to meet

some of them.

- [laughs]

- Your lovers?

I mean these.

Beautiful, huh?

The Flandrin.

There you are.

- Wow, I like that.

- Yeah?

The Met wants a loan.

ROBERT: I like the shape.

This photograph here,

by Von Gloeden.

It's a replica of the painting

from 1840.

Wow.

It's one of the few photographs

I own.

How old are you?

I'm 50.

That too old for you?

- No. It's good.

- Yeah?

Yeah.

I'll never know

what it's like to be 50.

How are you so sure

about that?

- I just know.

- Yeah?

Are you scared of dying?

Only before I'm famous.

Well, then,

you better get to work.

So much to do,

so little time.

- Come on.

- Oh, no, let's stay in bed.

- Get up. Come on.

- Please. Please.

- I'll take you to the Met.

- No.

- Let's go. Let's go.

- No.

This place was built

on my family's land.

ROBERT: Wow. I love it here.

This is for you.

Thank you.

- So, are you ready?

- Yeah, I think so.

SAM: Now I believe that these are

some of the oldest photographs

in existence.

- ROBERT: Nadar, right?

- SAM: Yeah.

ROBERT: Yeah, my friend

Sandy told me about him.

Beautiful portraits.

- My God, is that...?

- Look at that.

Is that Sarah Bernhardt?

SAM: Yes, it is.

ROBERT: She looks fantastic.

I can't believe

it's not a painting.

You know?

And there she is,

forever.

- Do you collect any?

- No. They're not valuable.

Well, you should.

I think they will be.

No, I think these will be up

on the main floor

with Rodin, Michelangelo,

Mapplethorpe.

SAM: Holy shit.

These are gorgeous.

Look at that.

ROBERT: I know. I love that one.

No one's blacks

are blacker than yours.

I swear to God.

Wow, so many new men.

You've become a bit

of a collector yourself.

Should I be concerned?

No.

They're my work.

You're my love.

Well, since you put it

that way.

[grunts]

For you,

my birthday boy.

Apollo 8 used it

to capture the moon.

I thought it's good enough

for my monkey to tell his story

- here on the ground.

- No.

No.

Sammy.

Oh, wow.

[chuckles]

- God.

- Oh, one more thing.

Keys.

Your new live-in studio.

What?

Come here.

You're the nicest person

I ever met.

I don't know about that.

[camera cranks and clicks]

Your work is so raw.

I thought maybe I could

shoot some covers for you.

[Harold laughs]

HAROLD: Well...

Sam certainly likes

to keep me on my toes.

Yeah.

These are, uh...

these are quite something.

[laughs]

Okay, forget it.

Excuse me?

If you knew what

you were looking at,

then you wouldn't act like

such a fucking art-snob fag.

Mr. Mapplethorpe, I know exactly

what I am looking at.

And I am a fucking

art-snob fag.

Yeah, I know.

And I do want them.

Yeah? How much?

- A lot.

- No.

How much are you going

to charge to buy them?

A lot.

[police siren

wailing distantly]

- [elevator rumbles]

- Little brother.

Hey.

[sighs]

So...

I, um...

[clears throat]

I snuck into the city

because I have to...

I have to write a paper

on my hero, and...

I want to write it

about you.

Me?

And I want to study

photography,

but Dad's trying

to talk me out of it.

Okay.

It's cool I'm your hero.

You can write about these.

Yeah, that.

Open it.

- Are your hands clean?

- EDWARD: They're clean.

Wow.

Yeah.

It's pretty cool.

Yeah, it's my friend's fist

up my friend's ass.

[chuckles]

- Wow.

- Yeah.

- [sighs]

- Yeah.

Do me a favor.

Don't tell Mom and Dad about

anything you've seen here today.

Of course.

And can you give them this,

please?

Of course.

And let yourself out, okay?

Okay.

ROBERT: Bye.

Okay, bye.

Okay, bye.

Chin up.

I want you to look

directly at the camera.

Perfect.

[camera clicks]

That's going to make a beautiful

portrait, thank you.

[gasps]

These photographs

are exquisite.

- Yes, they are.

- Precise.

Uniquely scintillating.

Thank you.

But I can't put

little Jesse McBride,

Philip Glass

and Arnold Schwarzenegger

next to cocks and chains.

I'd have to pass out Valium

at the door.

Show all of my work

or none of it.

I want to.

You're brilliant.

You're the Jekyll and Hyde

of photography.

But the public won't be able

to handle it all at once, dear.

My clients are only

just beginning to grasp

- that photography is art.

- Yeah, um...

see, Holly, Robert doesn't have

a lot of patience for...

- For anything.

- Yeah...

I have an idea

of how Jekyll and Hyde

can both have their debuts

simultaneously.

I'll call you.

You're going to love it.

- Can't wait.

- Yeah.

That's brilliant.

Solomon.

Kitchen.

Very clever.

I'll get it out

to the right people.

Get back to work.

Thanks, Sammy.

- ROBERT: Wow.

- SAM: And here we are.

- This is your doing.

- Yeah, a little bit.

You look very smart.

- Okay, go meet the people.

- I love people.

[indistinct chatter]

ROBERT: Yeah, I just

always found them

so beautiful to photograph,

actually.

And I want to show you

who you remind me of.

I'm sorry to interrupt.

Excuse me.

- How are you, by the way?

- These are great.

- This is Nick, obviously.

- Oh, wow.

I'm sorry, excuse me.

Larry and Bobby kissing.

And I thought

he was a bit like you.

[both laugh]

He's a dealer.

Of art, not drugs.

Oh, come and see Arnold.

Hello.

Oh, you decided

to go with flowers.

Well, you know,

easing the public into it

is an art in itself,

apparently.

Hey!

So I thought,

sell the public my flowers

and then they can hang them

on their walls

without realizing what

they're embracing.

- WOMAN: Are you thrilled?

- Are you coming to the kitchen?

I am, yes!

I want to see your true

masterpieces.

One day they'll be here too.

Mwah.

Thank you.

So, sales?

One.

But he had

to leave it here.

Why's that?

Wife. Kids.

- Hamptons.

- Naturally.

[indistinct chattering]

I appreciate your time.

Bye.

- Hey, guys.

- So?

Did you meet the people?

Yeah. I think so.

Leo, Lord Warwick,

Peggy G.

Any other musts?

Great. I don't think so.

As a matter of fact,

let's hightail it.

Shall we?

Another group of admirers

awaits you.

- Okay, thank you.

- Bye, darling.

- I appreciate everything.

- Sure.

- SAM: Sell more pictures.

- I will.

[both laughing]

Oh, my God.

Touch of leather, Sammy.

A touch of leather, baby.

Well, I guess there's

a first time for everything.

[laughs]

- We're here. We're here.

- Okay, okay.

[camera shutters click]

[indistinct chatter]

ROBERT: God almighty,

do you like it?

Do you have any money

to buy anything?

You probably do.

Oh, hi. Wow. Look at you.

Hey!

Oh, look.

Love you. Thank you.

♪ Let it all hang out ♪

♪ But you won't fool ♪

♪ The children

Of the revolution ♪

♪ No, no, no ♪

SAM: What's on your

mind, monkey?

ROBERT: Patti's moving to Detroit.

SAM: Why?

ROBERT: Get married and have children.

SAM: Don't worry, monkey.

New York is Patti's

piss factory.

She'll snap out of it.

You know, the first man

I ever fell in love with

served on my ship

during the invasion of Normandy.

I was an officer.

He was a sailor.

Oh, my God,

he was beautiful.

Just like you.

You do know I love you?

I do.

And I love my old thing.

And I always will.

[woman coughs]

ROBERT: This is Princess Margaret.

She's a friend from Mustique.

How'd you afford

that trip?

A magazine sent me.

This is David Hockney.

- Hockney?

- Yeah, he's a cool guy.

A British artist.

And Princess Devovo.

A princess? From where?

I don't know.

I mean, she doesn't do much

apart from be a princess.

But she takes a good photograph,

I thought.

JOAN: It's pretty.

Anyway, you guys

must be starving.

Shall we get

something to eat?

Sure.

Yeah. I know a good place,

actually.

It's not far.

You don't print

the pictures yourself?

No.

Never.

But that's photography.

How can you let

someone else

carry out the most

important part?

Well, that's one element

of photography.

Photography is more

than one element.

It's about light.

It's about composition.

It's about the personality

of the subject.

And I'm an artist.

I would've been a painter,

but the camera was invented.

Thank God.

I just think life moves

too fast now

to spend weeks painting it.

HARRY: Well, you're not

a real photographer

until you know

the technical end.

Period.

JOAN: Richard divorced

that Oriental girl.

Harry, how do you

say her name?

What does it matter?

JOAN: I had to quit

the bowling league.

Oh, that's a shame.

I just get too tired.

That's too bad.

Your mother was good.

Mm-hmm.

I liked your show.

Thank you.

I like my flowers.

They're beautiful.

[Robert laughs]

ROBERT: Okay. Fine.

Do you want that?

Go steady, now.

What are you staring at?

You don't like it?

Uh, I don't know, Robert.

It doesn't really

look like me.

It's not your look I'm taking.

It's you.

You're dirty. It's hot.

Look at that.

JACK: Whatever you say, man.

ROBERT: All these art snobs

think they're so cutting edge.

I take out my portfolio

and I show them the bullwhip

up my ass.

If they blink

or they look away,

then they just

can't handle it,

because they're not so fucking

cutting edge after all.

[all laugh]

- You know?

- JACK: You got that right.

I call it, "Playing chicken

with the avant-garde."

It's my favorite pastime.

JACK: It's a game

the whole family can play.

You're making me laugh so hard

I got to pee.

ROBERT: Take a piss here

and I'll take pictures of you.

Actually, put your cock

in that champagne glass.

Wait.

[chuckles]

Hold that.

[camera clicks]

You know, McNenny, people think

that you just deal me flowers.

Good boy.

Wait, wait, wait.

Hold on.

Yeah, let's take

some more pictures.

- GONZALO: All right.

- Take off your clothes, guys.

♪ Try it out ♪

[elevator rumbles]

[door opens]

[keys jiggle]

SAM: You up, superstar?

I just got a call

from the New York Times.

They want a quote from me

about the dual shows.

ROBERT: Sammy's here.

Hey.

Come join us, Sammy.

Come play.

It's a little

sex and magic.

Sammy.

Are you mad? Sam...

Sammy.

Come on, you know, this is...

This is...

this is just how I live.

But it doesn't mean

that I don't...

I don't love you.

Yeah, I love you too, monkey.

Jesus, I wanted

to taste this life.

But I'm full, Robert.

And you should be too.

Sammy, Sammy...

- [keys jiggle]

- Here.

We'll talk.

[door closes]

[elevator rumbles]

[shouting on TV]

[snorts]

[dialing]

Patti.

It's Robert.

Pick up the phone,

please.

I'm not going to wreck

your perfect life.

Okay. Call me back.

Call me back.

Call me right fucking back.

[sniffs]

Call me fucking back.

Hey, excuse me.

My name is

Robert Mapplethorpe.

I'm a photographer.

I'd love to take

your photograph.

You have the most

striking look.

I wondered if you'd ever

thought about modeling.

Modeling?

- Mm-hmm.

- Man, you walking...

You scared the shit

out of me.

You look so fantastic.

I could help you

make a portfolio.

And when do you want

to do that?

- Now. Right now?

- Right now?

Yeah.

Um...

I mean...

all right.

Wonderful.

What's your name?

- Milton.

- Milton?

Yeah. You said Robert, right?

That's me, yeah.

That's perfect.

Eyes down.

Okay.

How about you take off

those pants?

I can't be doing that,

out of respect

to my family.

Can I at least see it?

That's the most beautiful thing

I've ever seen.

What if I promise never to show

your cock and your face

in the same frame?

Uh...

[snorts]

Yeah, that's okay.

Wait there. Just...

put your right leg out.

Turn your body

to your right.

[camera clicks]

Stop.

I think I'm in love.

- MILTON: I got to go.

- ROBERT: No.

You're perfect.

I'm going to take care of you.

TINA: Robert? Ed's here.

Coming.

TINA: The meeting your mother

wanted me to set up.

He's here.

You want me

to look at this?

Thank you.

Sit down.

Of course, I'm...

I'm still learning, but...

some of them are good,

right?

They're all good.

Just, look, I don't...

I don't particularly want

my kid brother

working for me.

But Dad kicked me

out for wanting to take pictures

for a living.

Like you.

- So...

- Dad. Dad.

Dad.

Look, Edward,

only when you cut him off

are you going to be able to make

the steps that you need to make

to do something great

with your life.

I barely even know you, so...

maybe.

I don't want any connection

to our family.

You know, you just...

you got to leave all of that

stuff out of here, okay?

Of course.

- Do you understand that?

- I understand.

Okay.

All right.

Yeah?

What time's

the next shoot?

TINA: Twelve o'clock, Robert.

What time is it now?

TINA: Just after 11:00.

Want to do some cocaine?

Straight from God.

[laughs]

[sniffs]

Come on.

[snorts]

- [coughs]

- There you go.

- [laughs]

- [coughing]

[sniffing and snorting]

[coughing]

Okay, let's see.

Oh, yeah. I love it.

Yeah, this one.

Burn it a little.

TOM: I don't know, man.

ROBERT: It's brilliant,

don't you think?

Aw, come on.

Yeah, the only thing you need to

know is where the darkroom is.

You come in, get the film,

go print, and you go home.

- Okay?

- [sighs]

Crop it.

Take off his head.

It's stronger without it.

[camera clicks and cranks]

Move.

Curator.

Can you define it?

A guy who chooses art pieces

for other folks to check out.

Ugh! Where's Edward?

Ed.

I think we need to get

your English teacher to focus

on the language

of the arts.

This isn't... I don't know

what's going on here.

I can't... you know,

it's this thing here.

Here we are.

Look at you.

You look so innocent.

You're my beautiful

black boy.

I'm going to put it

back in.

You're going

to do great.

- [camera clicks]

- Bingo.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. Playboy.

Yeah. Yeah.

Can I stick my finger

in your ass?

Who's a good boy?

[grunts]

Wrap it over your shoulders.

Like that.

Yeah.

Uh...

I just... I don't know.

I can't see the frame.

I can't see

the fucking frame.

Sorry, Lisa.

Just give me...

I just need a moment.

[sniffs]

Chin up.

Tense.

[coughs and retches]

[spits]

No time for this.

It's so empty in here.

Why? Why?

Why did you sell your

photography collection, Sammy?

SAM: Sentimentality is

the kiss of death in art.

You know that.

It's too much stuff.

Let somebody else

take care of it.

Besides, I'm really

enjoying this.

I can shine

these spots away.

Gives me a little hope.

[chuckles]

Only $500.

For everything.

All these pieces.

It's unbelievable.

I bet you this

is the next big thing.

I've got it, by the way.

- How do you know?

- I know.

I'm just waiting

for the test results.

- That doesn't mean that you...

- Oh, Robert. Robert.

I wake up every night

covered in sweat.

Well, so open

your fucking window.

It has arrived.

Have you been tested?

No.

Monkey, please.

I won't.

[sighs]

Your photos are quickly becoming

a gallery of the dead.

[paper rustling and ripping]

Hey.

What... what are you...

What are you doing?

What...

Milton, what's wrong?

Whoa, whoa, take it ea...

What are you doing?

Milton, stop it.

Stop it.

What are you doing?

I love you.

Love me?

- Yeah.

- You don't love me.

You don't love anyone.

You love yourself.

And how you make people

do shit.

You make me do shit.

Read crap I don't get.

Take it easy.

And you call me nigger in bed.

Milton, come on,

that's just a tease.

It's not meant

as an insult.

I thought...

I thought you liked...

Poor nigger who poses

like a nude piece a black meat

for his pansy boyfriend.

- Fuck you!

- Whoa, take it easy.

Okay, Milton, I was trying

to enlighten you.

To celebrate you.

To celebrate your strength.

To celebrate your beautiful

black flesh.

I'm not one of your white boy,

stuck-up sculptures.

And I sure enough

ain't nobody's nigger.

All right. Milton...

Milton.

Milton, you have been

the subject

of some of my best work.

You are the star.

- Milton.

- You took pictures of my dick

sticking out of my pants.

Because it's gorgeous.

Milton...

You picked the wrong poor

black boy for your collection.

Don't go.

Where are you

going to go?

Come on, I need you.

- You got everything you need.

- No.

- I need money.

- No, Milton. Please.

Well, you know

where it is.

Don't...

Look, let's talk.

Milton.

Milton.

Fuck.

[glass tinkling]

What do you guys think?

That one.

ROBERT: Yeah, that's amazing, Sam.

Really.

Another $25,000.

My biggest sale yet.

[coughs]

Dead man walking.

Who knew my stock would rise

with every pound I lose?

What are... what are these

doing here?

I thought you might

take a look at them.

- Oh, yeah?

- Yeah.

Why? You don't need my opinion.

You've got my moves down.

Hey, that's not

what I'm trying to do.

Plus, you're

the technical expert.

Yeah, but, I...

I want your opinion

about the art.

Because?

Because you're my brother,

and because, well, you're better

at this than I am.

Yeah, well, you know,

I actually have no idea

how my pictures

look so good.

It's not something

I can just pass on to you.

Well, can you at least tell me

which ones you like the best?

Why?

I have to pick one

for the group show.

Next month.

What?

The one you're in, too.

[chuckles]

So if we're going

to continue working together,

you got to change

your last name.

I have made

Mapplethorpe a name

through my hard work

over the years.

I mean, it just...

here, how about...

Mom's maiden name.

Maxey.

Yeah. Look at that.

It sounds sexy.

Use it.

Look, I'm sorry, Edward.

I feel like I've done

a lot for you.

But I've got

to draw the line.

You can't just keep

riding on my coattails.

This batch here needs

your technical expertise.

I'm going out.

EDWARD: You can't keep

doing this, Robert.

ROBERT: Doing what?

Don't you care

about spreading it?

Well, you know,

that's up to them, not me.

I can't cheat death,

but I can cheat life,

which I won't.

- Robert...

- We're born and die alone.

- Robert, you're not alone.

Spend our lives

pretending we're not.

If I have to change

the way I live,

then I'd rather not at all,

okay?

Hey, I'm just paying my dues.

He's not letting

any of us off easy.

Technical expertise, Edward.

EDWARD: Robert!

- [billiard balls clack]

- [funky music playing]

Look at them.

They're just superior.

Smooth, you know?

Muscular shoulders.

Mm-mm-mm.

Cock.

Excuse me.

[inaudible]

Thanks.

Let's see.

Take a shot.

[billiard balls clack]

[sighs]

I'm not that great at this.

Hey.

Come on, let's go.

- Where?

- My place.

Let's go.

ROBERT: Hug your

knees closer to you.

A bit tighter.

Hug them more.

That's good.

Now hold that.

Perfect.

Chin up.

Thank you. Stop.

[camera clicks]

Got it. Thank you.

Well done.

Thank you.

Jesus Christ.

I mean, thank God

that is over.

So, I'm going to go out.

But I can drop you

at the hotel

and then I'll meet you

at the airport in the morning.

I'm not coming, Robert.

What, you don't

need a ride?

No, I mean, I'm not coming

to New York.

I've thought about it a lot,

and I need to...

I need to have my own career,

Robert.

So I'm heading down

to Los Angeles.

[sighs]

All right, what?

You're my assistant.

That's your career.

You owe me.

I gave you a life.

No, I don't owe you.

I've given you

everything I have.

- Oh, well thank you.

- Robert, I have this much.

This much.

I need to start

my own life

as Edward Maxey.

- Yeah.

- Hmm?

- Edward Maxey.

- Well, good luck with that.

Whatever delusions

of grandeur you have,

you're an assistant.

Get in the car.

[sighs]

Come here.

I've had three great loves

in my life.

My mom.

Art.

And you.

I hope not in that order.

[laughs weakly]

[coughs]

ANNOUNCER: [on TV]

And now for your update

on Things About Town.

Mapplethorpe Mania

has arrived in New York

in the form of a retrospective

exhibition that opens July 28th

at the Whitney Museum

of American Art.

Oh.

Bravo, Martin.

These are the deepest blacks

I have ever seen.

MARTIN: Someone came by yesterday

and they thought these two

were paintings.

I know.

Well, that's the idea.

And your canvas

seals the deal.

You're going to be famous

for this.

They are the holy grail

of platinum printing.

Now, let's wrap

Thomas and Dovanna

in white silk.

Regal, you know?

So everybody

knows to worship.

And let's wrap Donald

in rich red silk.

And we got to have a cock

in the show.

I mean, people will be expecting

some cock.

[coughs and hacks]

Thank you.

Thank you, Martin.

Amazing work.

I mean, look.

Can you make your legs into a V?

Yeah. Hold that.

Okay, could you just

dip your neck.

Hold.

Maybe try putting your arms

straight out

in front of you.

Perfect. Hold that.

Ha! It's my baby brother.

We're just photographing

this beautiful bronze sculpture.

Robert, I thought

about what you said.

Oh, Edward, meet Javier.

He's my new assistant.

He was just a Spanish

street urchin,

but he's very ambitious,

and he's learning fast.

- Hi.

- Mucho gusto.

Oh, yeah, he doesn't speak

much English.

But he's got a dictionary,

so it shouldn't take you long

to train him.

You know what, Ken?

Let's...

Can I photograph you

by the dining room, please?

[snorts]

Okay, can you make sure

you put this

with the whole

Wasting series.

[coughs and hacks]

It'll be valuable

when I'm gone.

Oh, my...

Father Stack.

Robert.

You're a long way

from Floral Park.

I'm glad to see you.

Do they speak to you?

- [coughs]

- Well...

it's a battle between

good and evil.

Are you here for my confession,

Father?

No.

Your mother

asked me to come.

She's worried about you.

How is she?

Not very well.

Her emphysema

has really worsened.

Sit down. Please.

[Robert coughs]

Robert...

do you believe in God?

No.

What gives you solace?

Beauty.

Perfection.

Knowing that I've captured

those things in my work.

Knowing that my work

will outlive me.

It'll still be there

when I'm gone.

And you have...

Thank you.

That's what I see.

Even that which we deem obscene,

you make look more beautiful

than I thought possible.

I wonder what it's like

to be your subject.

My subject?

I remember my first

communion with you.

- Can you remember that?

- I remember that.

- Yes.

- [laughs] Oh, perfect.

- Thank you, Father.

- You're a rascal.

- I remember that.

- [laughs]

- [camera clicks]

- Did I blink? Sorry.

Oh, you look absolutely

heavenly, Father.

And if you could just

look off to my left, please.

Just a touch.

The devil is in all of us,

Father.

I wonder where he is in you.

[camera clicks]

I think we got it.

[crowd shouting]

WOMAN: Robert! I love you!

[applause]

Thank you

for coming.

The first time I came

to this museum,

they wouldn't let me in

because I didn't have a buck.

But I always remember

these lights.

- JANET: Robert.

- Hello.

I'm curating

the ICA exhibition,

and I wanted

to follow up with you

on my idea of a traveling

exhibition of your work.

- Oh.

- So, the entire range

of your work would

be represented at once.

Finally.

From your most

hard-core imagery,

to the most delicate flowers.

They are delicate,

but not sweet.

They're New York flowers.

[clears throat]

They have a black edge to them.

So we'll open

in Philadelphia,

and then it'll be Chicago,

Washington, D.C.,

and finally, Cincinnati.

Cincinnati.

Poor Cincinnati.

Impossible to spell,

and starts with the word "Cin."

[laughs]

Well, that sounds, yeah,

very interesting.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- I'll be in touch with you.

- All right.

Have I met her?

Hmm.

Thought so.

Oh, what I would give

for a hot dog.

Oh, Robert, I don't know

if that's a good idea.

Come on.

Like the old days.

You haven't eaten solid food

in months.

Roman, would you mind

stopping the car, please?

No. Yeah, I got it.

I'm all right.

It's all right.

I'm all right.

I'm all right.

You got it?

- Got it?

- I got it.

Okay.

- Do you got it?

- [laughs]

I'm all right.

I'm all right.

- I'll be right back.

- All right.

- All right.

- Thanks.

Hot dog.

- You got it?

- Yeah.

[sighs]

Mm.

Don't crash

So good.

[coughs]

[retching]

[footsteps]

[sighs]

[coughs]

Hey, Angel.

Hey.

[sobs]

Come on, Soakie.

It's okay.

It's going to be okay.

What is that?

[sighs]

It appeared when my son

was born.

Oh.

You're getting old.

I told my parents,

remember, we...

we got married in a...

in a strawberry field

in California.

- And we were.

- Yeah.

Anything you dreamed

was real.

[sighs]

[door opens]

Oh.

Those are ugly.

You can toss them.

Don't you want to know

who they're from first?

Not really.

Okay, it says...

I thought Mom was sick? No?

EDWARD: She is.

What, do you think Dad

sent these?

EDWARD: He must have.

NURSE: Want to keep them?

Yeah. It's like the nicest thing

he's ever done for me.

Thank you.

[door closes]

Who knew Dad had such

terrible taste in flowers?

[laughs]

Right?

Where do you want them?

Sorry for the mix-up.

The flowers are for the patient

across the hall.

I'm sorry.

[laughs]

[Robert hacks and coughs]

Hey. Hey.

Edward, I'm scared.

I know.

How was the show?

It was good.

Did you sell anything?

A few.

See?

Told you, you don't need

to be a Mapplethorpe.

You can make it on your own,

right?

Sure.

Can I see your work?

Okay. All right.

I think...

you'll really

appreciate this.

[sighs]

ROBERT: Sammy.

Sam.

Take the picture.

[camera clicks]

♪ I was dancing

When I was 12 ♪

♪ I was dancing

When I was 12 ♪

♪ I was dancing

When I was out ♪

♪ I was dancing

When I was out ♪

♪ I danced myself

Right out the womb ♪

♪ I danced myself

Right out the womb ♪

♪ Is it strange

To dance so soon? ♪

♪ I danced myself

Right out the womb ♪

♪ I was dancing

When I was 8 ♪

♪ I was dancing

When I was 8 ♪

♪ Is it strange

To dance so late? ♪

♪ Is it strange

To dance so late? ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪

♪ I danced myself

Into the tomb ♪

♪ I danced myself

Into the tomb ♪

♪ Is it strange

To dance so soon? ♪

♪ I danced myself

Into the tomb ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪

["I'maman" by Jobriath plays]

♪ I'm a man ♪

♪ So I'm an elegant man ♪

♪ I'm a man ♪

♪ Clara Bows

And open toes ♪

♪ Are what I am ♪

♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I'm a fragile man ♪

♪ I'm a man ♪

♪ Light of step ♪

♪ And soft of touch ♪

♪ A gentle man ♪

♪ You know

I could love you ♪

♪ But if I should love you ♪

♪ Then I

I would love ♪

♪ The way a man

Loves a woman ♪

♪ And live my life

Like I've been living it ♪

♪ My body claims

My mind and soul ♪

♪ So let me be ♪

♪ What I am ♪

♪ An elegant man ♪

♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪

♪ So I'm an elegant man ♪

♪ I'm a man ♪

♪ Pierrots And

spacious clothes ♪

♪ Are what I am ♪

♪ You know

I could love you ♪

♪ But if I should love you ♪

♪ Then I

I would love ♪

♪ The way a man

Loves a woman ♪

♪ And live my life

Like I've been living it ♪

♪ My body claims

My mind and soul ♪

♪ So let me be ♪

♪ What I am ♪

♪ An elegant man ♪

♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪

♪ So I'm an elegant man ♪

♪ I'm a man ♪

♪ Pierrots

And spacious clothes ♪

♪ Are what I am ♪

♪ You know

I could love you ♪

♪ But if I should love you ♪

♪ Then I

I would love ♪

♪ The way a man

Loves a woman ♪

♪ And live my life

Like I've been living it ♪

♪ My body claims

My mind and soul ♪

♪ So let me be ♪

♪ What I am ♪

♪ An elegant man ♪

♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪

♪ And I love you ♪

♪ Because I'm a man ♪

♪ I could love you ♪

♪ Because I'm a man ♪

♪ And I know ♪

♪ That I love you

Love you, love you ♪

♪ Love you, love you

Love you ♪

♪ Love you, oh ♪

♪ Love you, oh ♪

♪ Love you

I'm a man ♪